West Maui realtor puts scholarship fundraiser in high gear

November 1, 2012

WEST MAUI - Golfers of all abilities and handicaps are invited to participate in the Realtors Association of Maui Presidential Scholarship Fund Golf Event at the Kahili Golf Course on Saturday, Nov. 10, and West Maui resident Hugh O'Reilly has given the fundraising aspect of the event a major boost.

O'Reilly was mayor of Whistler, British Columbia, for nine years. When he was leaving Whistler - ranked by National Geographic as one of the top 25 ski towns on Earth - for Maui, he told a local news writer, "Everything we touched in Hawaii was magic."

Apparently, the Magic Street runs both ways between Whistler and Kaanapali. O'Reilly was able to put together a luxury ski vacation package to be sold in the live auction for the scholarship fund.

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Hugh O’Reilly raised his children in Whistler, British Columbia, before moving to Maui. Now, he’s putting his Whistler connections to work to offer four Maui people the ultimate ski vacation at what may be a fraction of its value.

Whistler Blackcomb was ranked first on the National Geographic list of the "Top Ten Ski Runs and Lodges," so the bidding for this package is sure to be fierce. Valued at $7,000, airfare not included, the package includes seven nights' slope-side accommodations in a two-bedroom suite at Evolution, five days of skiing for four people, high-performance ski rentals (four people, five days), and everyone gets the Whistler Blackcomb Tube Park Experience, too. That's sliding down the meters-thick snow in a luxury version of an inner tube.

O'Reilly lived in Whistler for 30 years, raised his children there, and the bidders who win this package really shouldn't be too surprised if they happen to see the Whalers Realty Inc. realtor on the slopes there.

While there are no other multi-thousand-dollar items on the slate for the auction, there are always great local deals, gift cards and restaurant meals. What's more, there are a couple of other trips to the Mainland as well.

"We have at least two other trip packages in the auction," said Hawaii Life Realtor Broker Josh Jerman, who is on the event's organizing committee.

"One is for Napa County and one for Sonoma County; both, of course, in California wine country. Each package includes special tours, tastings and food pairings from several local wineries. Some, but not all, of the wineries involved are Truchard Vineyards, Miner Family Winery, Seghesio, and Selby. Airfare is not included, and each of these is valued at about $700," he said.

To register for the day of fun golf at Kahili and the luncheon - including the auctions - download the form at www.RAMaui.com/golf or call LuShanya Balberdi at 871-8911. The price for the full day is $125; $40 for the luncheon, awards and auctions.